Frank Bar + Eatery

The staff here need a basic lesson in customer service. The food was mediocre at best, but the lack of service was the most disconcerting part of the experience. In hospitality, a customer-centric focus makes up for so much… in this instance the lack of service not only reduced our spend, but ended our evening early, leaving a bitter taste. I’d say Worst service in Whanganui, but there really was no level of service beyond rudimentary greeting and first order taking. Ill trained staff can break a business and crush diner spend. And the apathy of the service staff we experienced does not bode well for repeat business. I certainly would not go back.

First & last time here, incredibly disappointed after hearing great things. I have 10 years in the industry and have never had such an experience. It wasn’t busy nor were they short staffed, the girls were just too busy leaning on the bar, we were walked past multiple times by staff with empty drinks, and not asked if we wanted another nor did anyone clear the drinks. We would’ve stayed and had plenty more drinks had we not been ignored. The cocktails were way over priced for what was in them and the food was mediocre. Wouldn’t recommend to anyone

Very disappointed with our visit, food and dessert is way to overpriced, staff were confused with our booking, that was booked well in advance, you won’t go far with the current service and staff,

Service was fantastic. Cocktails amazing as was garlic bread. Main meal? Pretty poor. My burger was stone cold so it was returned came back with top bun luke warm and remainder of burger including filling still stone cold. Did not come across as a freshly made burger. Music was head banging thumping which was not conducive to a sit down meal. Will I go back again? No. One bad meal, and you tend not to return.

DISGUSTED, Get better Bouncers/Security Officer, who don’t over step their professional boundaries, who don’t use bullying tactics, who the hell do they think they are following my friend around all night after embarrassing and upsetting her at the door, she is a sweet, completing innocent, hard working, studying to be a mechanical engineer, and you just destroyed her new experience of going out with friends since recently turning 18, real pitiful and very poor door service, clearly needs further training on mannerism and people skills! Being a security officer most certainly DOES NOT give you the right to tell someone how they should act, especially when they were sober, saying things like don’t be funny, just utterly disgusting will never return here again!

Nice decor and atmosphere. The staff were friendly and cheerful. Unfortunately, despite making a booking we have waited an hour and a half and still no entrée served. God only knows how long the mains will be.
Rather disappointing. I chose Franks based on recommendations and have brought a group of 14 here. None of them plan to return which is sad.

No real style, no proper entranceway, haphazardly put together, no soft surfaces so bitingly loud, lovely friendly staff, waited 90 minutes for 2 pizzas and left, walked around the town, FINALLY got our order with an apology and cash refund. Wouldnt EVER go back but dont feel bitter.

Based on website, photos, reviews etc.we were expecting a vibrant and busy atmosphere for Friday night cocktails and dinner. However, slightly disappointed on overall experience. Drink orders were delivered wrong, (+ we were never asked if wanted any more) and we were missing a dish from our 'shared' dishes that we decided to go for and so missed out on the won tons. (Which is funny cause the waitress read out our orders back to us).

On a plus - the Pork Belly was AMAZING as was the garlic flat bread. Maybe I set my own expectations too high? Slightly disappointed, however was still an 'OK' experience.

The overall experience was sadly quite disappointing. Although the cocktails were amazing and atmosphere was great, here’s a summary of the rest:

Service: a bit appalling. We were sat at the back and after waiting a while, I had to walk to the bar to order because there was no chance any staff were going to come by to take our orders within any reasonable timeframe. The food took 45 minutes to arrive and we nearly gave up on our drinks - they took nearly an hour and came after our food.

Mains: $34 for a Thai seafood curry which contained exactly 3 mussels, 3 shrimp and 3 tiny scallops - nothing else. It felt like a scavenger hunt finding any food on my plate; consider it more of an overpriced entree.

It was a reasonably busy night but there’s a limit on how much a business should stretch this excuse when it begins to impact the service this much.

My wife and her friends booked for meals last Friday. Her sister ordered Prawns $23 for 3 prawns which came out very undercooked. She complained and they took them away, brought them back burnt! Black as. She refused to eat or pay for them. However my wife was last to pay her bill and this burnt offering was added to her bill which she paid. NOT HAPPY

Nice atmosphere. But long wait gor our meals. Then when we got our meals the food was at a below average standard. Cold curly fries. Over cooked egg and meat patties for the burgers. Fish was over cooked buns were burnt. My wife ordered a cheese burger that came with no cheese. Friend ordered a burger with no pickles, but came out with pickles. A bit of care and pride, could easily fix these issues.

Frank’s has a great atmosphere and modern fit out. The menu is reasonably nice and the staff are friendly. However, the cocktails are really below average. Tried a margarita and could not taste any tequila in it at all, then tried a gin sour which again, had barely any alcohol in it and a very eggy flavour. Been back once or twice and had the same experience each time. Definitely wouldn’t recommend Frank’s if you’re looking for a good quality cocktail.

Went in with a few people, one particular staff member was extremely rude. The meal was small and not worth the price but it did have flavour hence the 2nd star. Waited over an hour as well. Things need to improve

Stopped in town for meal on a Friday night heard great things. We waited a solid hour for our food. My partner had the bruschetta. The bread was stale and waffer thin. My seafood linguine was good but out of the 4 mussels one was not open so it was dead or uncooked. (simple for a chef to check)

All in all maybe it might be good on a quiet weekday but Friday night it's more of a drunken paradise

High prices. Food ok. Drinks are high priced, cocktails are delicious. Floor is sticky, needs industrial floor covering. Odd this hasn't been fixed in so long. Dark. Friendly staff. Lovely old building outside. Door charges are steep!

Have been twice previously and it was great.
This time we felt the portions were smaller than previous, the the cook didn't listen to special dietary request.

Love the atmosphere, gorgeous setup indoor and outdoor, never leave this place without getting a cocktail
PERFECTO! Staff are friendly, the food however, disappointing, especially for the price that you pay,

Someone previously mentioned that the margaritas were weak, I can confirm that. I have had a lot of margaritas in my time but these.you could give to your grandkids. They should at least offer normal strength ones.

Large premises, nice appearance, food was quite good.
The volume of noise was very off-putting.
Not the place to go for a conversation!

Needs more kitchen staff, took two hours to get served a bar meal, however the front of house staff were amazing and did their best to keep the crew happy.